fungus comb

plural fungus combs

1. A slurry of masticated or partially digested wood that termites create which is subsequently digested by white rot fungus to produce a byproduct that the termites can eat.

   This enzyme might be responsible for the degradation of phenolics in the fungus comb.

   2006, Helmut König, Ajit Varma, Intestinal Microorganisms of Termites and Other Invertebrates, page 346

   3 more examples

   The sexual stage of the fungus, the basidiocarp, arises as a pseudorhiza from a fungus comb and continues as a stipe, terminating in a cap with a prominent umbo or perforatorium.

   2012, Bozzano G Luisa, Insect-Fungus Interactions, page 74

   Fungus comb also serves as food source, especially in adverse climatic conditions or when food is scarce.

   2018, Omkar, Pests and Their Management, page 928

   The termites chew wood into a slurry which they regugitate in fungal gardens, known as the 'fungus comb', by contrast with bees' honeycomb.

   2020, Merlin Sheldrake, Entangled Life, page 211